How Old is your helmet ?

[Sbk12rs]

Holidays are coming !! Some say there's a shelf life to them , drops , sun ......
I bought a New (to me ) from Naults just a couple of months ago .
Down at Deals Gap a couple of weeks ago the front strip flew off .
There's a date on the chin strap . The helmet I just bought was an 01 model ????
Well here's what I replaced it with , its most awesome in person !
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Arai-...spagenameZWDVW

[RandyO]

My helmet is brand new, only worn it twice

I got a Shoei TZR in orange

replaced my 7 year old 100,000 mile plus Arai Signet e

I replaced most of the replaceable parts, cheekpads, breath deflector, etc at least a couple of times over the time I used it, the chin strap was getting frayed, it had a broken sidecover that was taped on, it need cheekpads again

[Manny]

Originally posted by Sbk12rs
Holidays are coming !! Some say there's a shelf life to them , drops , sun ......
I bought a New (to me ) from Naults just a couple of months ago .
Down at Deals Gap a couple of weeks ago the front strip flew off .
There's a date on the chin strap . The helmet I just bought was an 01 model ????
Well here's what I replaced it with , its most awesome in person !
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Arai-...spagenameZWDVW

Am I understanding that the helmet you bought new at Naults in 06 was made in 01? What type of helmet was it?

[OreoGaborio]

Steve, if you've got the recipt I'd absolutely bring that back to Naults & get a refund.

[Manny]

Originally posted by OreoGitorio
Steve, if you've got the recipt I'd absolutely bring that back to Naults & get a refund.

yea yea. 5 years is the recommended life, worn or unworn.

[Sbk12rs]

Originally posted by Manny
Am I understanding that the helmet you bought new at Naults in 06 was made in 01? What type of helmet was it?

It was an Arai ! I never thought of it when I bought it . Its a Older Nakano Tricked out paint job type .

mmmmm,, now I know why it was sooooo cheap !

[Billy]

Month old Arai Quantum 2

[brewmaster]

One 8 month old Arai Profile (freedom silver) and picking up a brand new Profile (solid black) today (back up for the coming race season)! Fits perfect and has the best venting I have used yet. Plus it allows me to wear my glasses in the helmet comfortably. Something my Shoei's didn't allow due to the foam placement around the ears.

[richw]

I turn over helmets every 4 or 5 years

I'ld get my money back.

Fiberglass etc lasts almost forever if it was a injection molded helmet iI'ld think it was toast.

EPS foam inside I am not sure but as softer is better then probably OK

[Manny]

Originally posted by Sbk12rs
It was an Arai ! I never thought of it when I bought it . Its a Older Nakano Tricked out paint job type .

mmmmm,, now I know why it was sooooo cheap !

Take it back. I can't imagine that Arai would even allow it to be sold if it was 5 years old.

[MsHap]

6 years. I think.

I am going to touch it up with some black nailpolish and it will be good for another 6

[bigred875]

just ordered new ones for me and the wife...2 exo-700's with extra sheilds, 2 cases, an addition liner and chin thingys for less then $525 shipped direct from the factory. Arai/shoei quality...HJC prices....

1. Fiberglass/Kevlar™ Matrix Shell: Quiet, aero-tuned design for wind-tunnel tested comfort. EPS-lined chin bar for additional protection.

2. SpeedShift™ quick-change shield system (patent pending): Easy, secure tool-less faceshield changes in ten seconds or less.

3. EverClear™ no-fog faceshield: Optically-correct shield with state-of-the art fog-free technology and anti-scratch hardened coating.

4. KwikWick™ moisture-wicking helmet liner and cheek pads: Breathable, easily removable and washable.

5. Ventilation system: Adjustable, indexed front and rear vents with aero-tuned rear spoiler reduce lift, create vacuum and maximize airflow through helmet.

6. Breath-deflector: Enhanced fog-free performance.

7. Custom liner and cheek pad kits: Available in hot colors and wild patterns.

8. Snell/DOT Certified.


http://www.scorpionusa.com

me -

wife -

[The Snowman]

Brand new HJC AC-12 model, purchased in June.



I'm actually pretty impressed with the quality of this helmet. Of course, it's HJC's top of the line helmet. (with the exception of the carbon AC-12)

[RandyO]

Originally posted by Manny
yea yea. 5 years is the recommended life, worn or unworn.

what is the source of your knowledge ? I hear bullshit like this spewed all the time

I know that Arai services helmets that are up to 7 years old at least (because of my dealing directly with them)

the Arai that I just replaced was a Snell95 model manufactured in 98 I bought in fall 00 and I was able to get a part from them directly last year, I think they are just discontinuing service now

[AndyC]

Humm I purchased my AGV X2 and a few days later I picked up a Velmar Carbon fiber (special) back about a year ago. My X2 is still in the box new.
You guys are saying there is a shelf life on helmets?

[bigred875]

Originally posted by AndyC
Humm I purchased my AGV X2 and a few days later I picked up a Velmar Carbon fiber (special) back about a year ago. My X2 is still in the box new.
You guys are saying there is a shelf life on helmets?

yeah..they say your sweat and other environmental factors decrease the effectiveness of the foam..but who knows really lol

[RandyO]

Originally posted by bigred875
yeah..they say your sweat and other environmental factors decrease the effectiveness of the foam..but who knows really lol

so how do sweat and environmental factors affect them when they are stored in a box on a shelf being unused

[bigred875]

Originally posted by RandyO
so how do sweat and environmental factors affect them when they are stored in a box on a shelf being unused

i give up..magic? lol I was talking about helmets being used for that length of time...

[RandyO]

Originally posted by bigred875
i give up..magic? lol I was talking about helmets being used for that length of time...

in your reply to this post?

Originally posted by AndyC
My X2 is still in the box new.
You guys are saying there is a shelf life on helmets?

[Manny]

Originally posted by RandyO
what is the source of your knowledge ? I hear bullshit like this spewed all the time

This is off the website:

All Arai helmets are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship, and are serviceable only for the properly fitted* first user for 5 years from date of first use, but no more than 7 years from date of manufacture. It should be replaced within 5 years of first use.


It reads to me that within seven years of manufacture they will service it, but only if worn during the last five. That means that the guy who buys an 01 model in 06 gets a 2 year warranty, not a 5 year warranty like he should.

Regarding the 5 years worn or unworn, Ill keep checking but im pretty sure ive seen it in print.

[Manny]

Originally posted by AndyC
[B My X2 is still in the box new.
You guys are saying there is a shelf life on helmets? [/B]

Yes, but every manufacturer will have a different answer. If you own an unworn helmet that is say 5 years old call the company and ask them.

In fact, Im going to try and call arai about this later.

[RandyO]

Originally posted by Manny
This is off the website:

All Arai helmets are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship, and are serviceable only for the properly fitted* first user for 5 years from date of first use, but no more than 7 years from date of manufacture. It should be replaced within 5 years of first use.


It reads to me that within seven years of manufacture they will service it, but only if worn during the last five. That means that the guy who buys an 01 model in 06 gets a 2 year warranty, not a 5 year warranty like he should.

agreed, and that is an Arai policy only (and not what you stated in your original post) , not necessarily Snell foundation or DOT recomendation

[Sbk12rs]

I just walked by my helmets box it came in ,,, right on the side an Orange sticker that says 5 year limited warranty !

[greenmonster]

From what Ive heard and read over the years, is that a helmet in normal use will degrade over time, reducing its ability to protect. For the outer shell, the sun's UV rays and plain old air pollutants such as benzene, car exhaust, and a whole host of corrosive toxins we breathe in every day take their toll. They act in concert to break down the composites that make up the shell materials. Simple aging. But it is a very slow process, and youre more likely to have replaced the helmet long before the shells "plasticity" has been reduced. Now, this mainly applies to fiberglass shells as far as I know. Molded plastic models may or may not be affected this way.

What they do share in common is the expanded styrene foam padding for your noggin. Same shit as your Dunkin Donuts coffee cup. One property of styrene is that it has "gases" within its makeup that slowly leak out and/or dissipate over time. The gases are what make it expanded and cushiony in the first place. Anyhoo...after several years, you'll notice that the foam will shrink in thickness, and become stiffer with less cushioning. Also, the helmet will feel looser when wearing it...not so snug anymore as when you bought it. Again, other environmental factors such as ozone and other pollutants play a role in depleting the styrene's chemical makeup. So, even if the shell looks, and is in good shape, you should pay more attention to the padding. Ive replaced helmets every 4 years or so, just to be safe.
Thats about it. If anyone else has more details, especially regarding molded plastic shells, share it!!

[tonyd]

walk into Naults and say "I was wondering if I should replace my helmet, it hasn't been used much, but it's 5 years old, what do you think?" They are going to tell you you need a new helmet.
Walk out to the car and get the one you just bought and return it.